Compositions and Methods for Promoting Neuronal Outgrowth

ABSTRACT

Neural outgrowth in the central nervous system is achieved by administering chondroitinase AC and/or chondroitinase B to degrade chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans that inhibit or contribute to the inhibition of nervous tissue regeneration.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/377,669 filed May 4, 2002 is hereby claimed.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

This disclosure relates to methods for promoting neurite outgrowth after nerve cell loss as a result of central nervous system (“CNS”) injury or disease. In particular, chondroitinase AC and chondroitinase B are used to promote neurite outgrowth.

2. Description of Related Art

After a spinal cord injury in the adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS), the inability of axons to regenerate may lead to permanent paralysis. An injury-caused lesion will develop glial scarring, which contains extracellular matrix molecules including chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs). CSPGs inhibit nerve tissue growth in vitro, and nerve tissue regeneration at CSPGs rich regions in vivo.

A number of molecules, and specified regions thereof, have been implicated in the ability to support the sprouting of neurites from a neuronal cell, a process also referred to as neurite outgrowth. The term neurite refers to both axon and dendrite structures. This process of spouting neurites is essential in neural development and regeneration, especially after physical injury or disease has damaged neuronal cells. Neurites elongate profusely during development both in the central and peripheral nervous systems of all animal species. This phenomenon pertains to both axons and dendrites. However, adult neurite regrowth in the CNS is increasingly lost with evolutionary progress.

Various polypeptides, especially cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), have been known to promote neural cell growth. While early efforts in this area of research concentrated on the adhesion-promoting extracellular matrix protein fibronectin (FN), other polypeptides have also been found to promote neural growth. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,743, discloses novel polypeptides and methods for promoting neural growth in the central nervous system of a mammal by administering a soluble neural CAM, a fragment thereof, or a Fc-fusion product thereof. U.S. Pat. No. 6,313,265 discloses synthetic polypeptides containing the pharmacologically active regions of CAMs that can be used in promoting nerve regeneration and repair in both peripheral nerve injuries as well as lesions in the central nervous system.

While helpful, the use of regenerative proteins alone may not be sufficient to effect repair of a damaged nervous system.

One area that has been determined to be of significance in the repair and regeneration of cellular tissue, including neural tissue, is the extracellular matrix. Extracellular matrix proteins (“EMPs”) are found in spaces around or near cells of multicellular organisms and are typically fibrous proteins of two functional types: mainly structural, e.g., collagen and elastin, and mainly adhesive, e.g., fibronectin and laminin.

During approximately the past two decades, the base knowledge of cell adhesion and migration in extracellular matrices (ECMs) at the molecular level has expanded rapidly. The action of enzymes and other polypeptides which degrade components of the extracellular matrix and basement membranes may facilitate the events of neural repair by a variety of mechanisms including the release of bound cytokines and by increasing the permeability of the matrix, thereby enhancing the mobility of mediator molecules, growth factors and chemotactic agents, as well as the cells involved in the healing process. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,863 discloses the use of glycosaminoglycans to manipulate cell proliferation and promote wound healing.

ECM molecules include the inhibitory CSPGs. Components of the CSPGs have been identified as the glycosaminoglycans, chondroitin sulfate (CS) and dermatan sulfate (DS). Removal of these inhibitory molecules would allow neurites to regenerate and reinnervate an area after physical injury or disease.

Previous studies have found that chondroitinases can lyase and degrade CSPGs and, including, CS and DS. One study found that chondroitinase ABC removed glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains in and around lesioned areas of rat CNS, in vivo. The degradation of GAGs promoted expression of a growth-associated protein, GAP43, indicating increased regenerative propensity in treated cells. However, this growth-associated protein is associated with regeneration in peripheral, but not central, nerve injuries. Applications of chondroitinase ABC to an injured corticospinal tract (CST) prevented axon retraction from the affected area and promoted more axon fiber growth than the control, with some axons arborizing into gray matter. Regenerated CST axons established functional connections. (Bradbury et al., Chondroitinase ABC promotes functional recovery after spinal cord injury, Nature 416: 636-640 (2002)). Another study found that in vitro chondroitinase ABC treatment of rat spinal cord regenerated neurons on a tissue section substrata. This study observed that degradation of CSPGs may promote the neuro-stimulatory effects of laminin. (Zuo et al. Degradation of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan enhances the neurite-promoting potential of spinal cord tissue, Exp. Neurol. 154(2): 654-62 (1998)). In a later study by same primary researcher, it was reported that injection of chondroitinase ABC at the site of nerve damage degraded CSPGs and increased the ingress of axonal sprouts into the basal laminae of the distal nerve segment, which may be by enabling more latitude in growth at the interface of coapted nerve. (Zuo et al. Regeneration of axons after nerve transaction repair is enhanced by degradation of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan. Exp. Neurol. 176(1): 221-8 (2002)). The same group of researchers also found chondroitinase ABC treatments regenerated axons on into acellular grafts at a much higher rate than the control grafts. (Krekoski et al., Axonal regeneration into acellular nerve grafts is enhanced by degradation of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan. J. Neurosci. 15:21(16): 6206-13 (2001)).

The use of chondroitinase AC and chondroitinase B would be advantageous to promote neurite growth in mammals because these chondroitinases strongly promote neurite outgrowths directly in the CNS, itself, as well as in the peripheral nervous system.

SUMMARY

Neurite outgrowth is promoted by administering chondroitinase AC, chondroitinase B or a mixture thereof to an injured area of the central nervous system.

Various types of chondroitinase AC, and chondroitinase B can be administered to a mammal afflicted with a CNS injury, whether the injury is immediate or long-standing. The chondroitinase is administered in amount effective to degrade CSPGs and thereby promote neurite outgrowth.

The chondroitinases can be administered with a suitable pharmaceutical carrier. The administration can be topical, local or systemic.

The administration of chondroitinases AC and/or chondroitinase B and the resulting promotion of neural growth in accordance with this disclosure restores motor and sensory functions, to varying degrees, depending on the responsiveness of each individual.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to a method of treatment for mammalian central nervous system injuries, typically caused by trauma or disease. In particular, Chondroitinase AC and chondroitinase B, individually and in combination, provide a therapeutic treatment for spinal cord injuries. The phrase “spinal cord injuries” as used herein includes disease and traumatic injuries, such as severing or crushing of neurons brought about by an auto accident, fall, knife or bullet wound, as well as other injuries. Practice of the present methods will confer clinical benefits to the treated mammal, providing clinically relevant improvements in at least one of the subject's motor coordination functions and sensory perception. Clinically relevant improvements can range from a detectable improvement to a complete restoration of an impaired or lost central nervous system.

After a spinal cord injury in the adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS), the inability of axons to regenerate may lead to permanent paralysis. The site of the CNS spinal cord injury develops a lesion or glial scar by an increase in the deposition of extracellular matrix molecules by astrocytes and oligodendrocytes at the site of injury. These extracellular matrix molecules include chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs), which are highly expressed in scarring areas. CSPGs inhibit nerve tissue growth in vitro, and nerve tissue regeneration at CSPGs rich regions in vivo. Chondroitin sulfates A, B and C are the predominant forms found in mammals. These chondroitins may be involved in modulation of various biological activities including cell differentiation, adhesion, enzymatic pathways, and hormone interactions. The presence of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans is elevated in the later stages of cell growth in response to tissue and vessel damage.

The glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), chondroitin sulfate (CS) and dermatan sulfate (DS), are important components of CSPG. They are inhibitory molecules that contribute to the lack of regeneration of the CNS in adult mammals, by hindering axonal and neuritic growth. (However, CSPGs are important in neuronal guidance and patterning during development, rather than inhibition).

Glycosaminoglycans are unbranched polysaccharides consisting of alternating hexosamine and hexuronic residues which carry sulfate groups in different positions. The GAGs are typically divided into three families according to the composition of the disaccharide backbone. These are: heparin/heparan sulfate [HexA-GlcNAc(SO.sub.4)]; chondroitin sulfate [HexA-GalNAc]; and keratan sulfate [Gal-GlcNAc]. The chondroitin sulfate family includes seven sub-types designated unsulfated chondroitin sulfate, oversulfated chondroitin sulfate, and chondroitin sulfates A-E, which vary in the number and position of their sulfate functional groups. Chondroitin sulfate B is also referred to as dermatan sulfate, and it differs in that iduronic acid is the predominant residue in the alternative hexuronic acid position.

It has now been found that the chondroitin enzymes chondroitinase AC and chondroitinase B are useful in controlling and/or inhibiting the effects of chondroitin sulfates and in developing therapeutics for the treatment of disease states.

Chondroitinase AC and chondroitinase B are chondroitin lyase enzymes, which may be derived from various sources. Any chondroitinase AC or B may be used in the disclosure, including, but not limited to chondroitinase AC (derived from Flavobacterium heparinum; T. Yamagata, H. Saito, O. Habuchi, S. Suzuki, J. Biol. Chem., 243, 1523 (1968)); chondroitinase AC II (derived for Arthobacter aurescens; K. Hiyama, S. Okada, J. Biol. Chem., 250, 1824 (1975), K. Hiyama, S. Okada, J. Biochem. (Tokyo), 80, 1201 (1976)); chondroitinase AC III (derived from Flavobacterium sp. Hp102; H. Miyazono, H. Kikuchi, K. Yoshida, K. Morikawa, K. Tokuyasu, Seikagaku, 61, 1023 (1989)); chondroitinase B (derived from Flavobacterium heparinum; Y. M. Michelaaci, C. P. Dietrich, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 56, 973 (1974), Y. M. Michelaaci, C. P. Dietrich, Biochem. J., 151, 121 (1975), K. Maeyama, A. Tawada, A. Ueno, K. Yoshida, Seikagaku, 57, 1189 (1985)); and chondroitinase B (derived from Flavobacterium sp. Hp102; H. Miyazono, H. Kikuchi, K. Yoshida, K. Morikawa, K. Tokuyasu, Seikagaku, 61, 1023 (1989)). Suitable chondroitinase AC and chondroitinase B are commercially available from Seikagaku America, Falmouth, Mass., USA. Additionally, the enzymes may be produced by the methods disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,563 by Bennett et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein.

Chondroitinase enzyme activity can be stabilized by the addition of excipients or by lyophilization. Stabilizers include carbohydrates, amino acids, fatty acids, and surfactants and are known to those skilled in the art. Examples include carbohydrate such as sucrose, lactose, mannitol, and dextran, proteins such as albumin and protamine, amino acids such as arginine, glycine, and threonine, surfactants such as TWEEN® and PLURONIC®, salts such as calcium chloride and sodium phosphate, and lipids such as fatty acids, phospholipids, and bile salts. The stabilizers are generally added to the protein in a ratio of 1:10 to 4:1, carbohydrate to protein, amino acids to protein, protein stabilizer to protein, and salts to protein; 1:1000 to 1:20, surfactant to protein; and 1:20 to 4:1, lipids to protein. Other stabilizers include high concentrations of ammonium sulfate, sodium acetate or sodium sulfate, based on comparative studies with heparinase activity. The stabilizing agents, preferably the ammonium sulfate or other similar salt, are added to the enzyme in a ratio of 0.1 to 4.0 mg ammonium sulfate/IU enzyme.

Chondroitinase may be administered topically, locally or systemically. Topical or local administration is preferable for greater control of application. The chondroitinases, singularly or in combination, can be mixed with an appropriate pharmaceutical carrier prior to administration. Examples of generally used pharmaceutical carriers and additives are conventional diluents, binders, lubricants, coloring agents, disintegrating agents, buffer agents, isotonizing agents, preservants, anesthetics and the like. Specifically pharmaceutical carriers that may be used are dextran, sucrose, lactose, maltose, xylose, trehalose, mannitol, xylitol, sorbitol, inositol, serum albumin, gelatin, creatinine, polyethylene glycol, non-ionic surfactants (e.g. polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene hardened castor oil, sucrose fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene glycol) and similar compounds.

Pharmaceutical carriers may also be used in combination, such as polyethylene glycol and/or sucrose, or polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate (20 E. O.) is particularly preferred.

The treatment regimen according to the invention is carried out by a means of administering chondroitinase AC and/or chondroitinase B to the lesions of the injured area of the CNS. The mode of administration, the timing of administration and the dosage are carried out such that the functional recovery from impairment of the CNS is enhanced by the promotion of neurite outgrowth. The treatments of the present disclosure deliver an effective amount of chondroitinase AC and/or chondroitinase B to the injured site. The term “effective amount” means an amount sufficient to degrade the CSPGs of the lesioned area of the spinal cord. The effective amount of chondroitinase can be administered in a single dosage, two dosages or a plurality of dosages. In a preferred embodiment, the dosage is administered within 12 hours after injury, or as soon as is feasible. In another embodiment, the dosage is administered to an injured mammal in one, two or a plurality of dosages; such dosages would be dependant on the severity of the injury and the amount of CSPGs present in the glial scarring. Where a plurality of dosages is administered, they may be delivered on a daily, weekly, or bi-weekly basis. The delivery of the dosages may be by means of catheter or syringe. Alternatively, the treatment can be administered during surgery to allow direct application to the glial scar.

Once the chondroitinases are administered, the degradation of CSPGs removes the inhibitory molecules that block neurite outgrowth, and allow the regeneration of neurites into the affected area. The chondroitinase AC and chondroitinase B degrade CS and DS, respectively, resulting in unsaturated sulfated disaccharides. Chondroitinase AC cleaves CS at 1, 4 glycosidic linkages between N-acetylgalactosamine and glucuronic acid in the polysaccharide backbone of CS. Cleavage occurs through beta-elimination in a random endolytic action pattern. Chondroitinase B cleaves the 1, 4 galactosamine iduronic acid linkage in the polysaccharide backbone of DS. The cleavage of both CS and DS occurs through a beta-elimination process which differentiates these enzymatic mechanisms from mammalian GAG degrading enzymes.

The removal of CS and DS from the glial scar permits the regeneration of neurite outgrowths into the injured area.

The regeneration of the nerve cells in to the affected CNS area allows the return of motor and sensory function. Clinically relevant improvement will range from a detectable improvement to a complete restoration of an impaired or lost nervous function, varying with the individual patients and injuries.

Although preferred and other embodiments of the invention have been described herein, further embodiments may be perceived by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. 

1. A method of treating a subject having an injury to the central nervous system, comprising administering an effective amount of a chondroitinase AC, chondroitinase B, or a mixture thereof to a mammal having a central nervous system injury.
 2. A method of claim 1, wherein the chondroitinase AC, chondroitinase B or a mixture thereof is administered locally to the site of injury.
 3. A method of claim 1, wherein a chondroitinase AC is administered.
 4. A method as in claim 3 wherein the chondroitinase AC is selected from the group consisting of chondroitinase AC, chondroitinase AC II and chondroitinase AC III.
 5. A method of claim 1, wherein chondroitinase B is administered.
 6. A method of claim 1, wherein a combination of a chondroitinase AC and chondroitinase B is administered.
 7. A method of claim 1, wherein the chondroitinase AC, chondroitinase B or a mixture thereof is administered as a composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 8. A method of claim 2, wherein local administration is to the site of injury is achieved using a mode selected from a catheter, a syringe, and direct application to the injury.
 9. A method as in claim 1, wherein the effective amount is administered in multiple doses.
 10. A method of claim 1, wherein the central nervous system injury is trauma to the spinal cord.
 11. A method of claim 1, wherein said mammal is a human.
 12. A composition useful in promoting neurite outgrowth comprising chondroitinase AC, chondroitinase B or a mixture thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 13. A composition as in claim 12 containing chondroitinase AC.
 14. A composition as in claim 13, wherein the chondroitinase AC is selected from the group consisting of chondroitinase AC, chondroitinase AC II and chondroitinase AC III.
 15. A method of promoting neurite outgrowth comprising contacting neural cells with a composition comprising one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of chondroitinase AC, chondroitinase AC II, chondroitinase AC III, chondroitinase B.
 16. A method as in claim 15, wherein the compound is chondroitinase AC.
 17. A method as in claim 15, wherein the compound is chondroitinase B.
 18. A method as in claim 15, wherein the composition further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 19. A method as in claim 15, wherein the composition further comprises a stabilizer.
 20. A method as in claim 15, wherein the step of contacting comprises administering the composition directly to a site of central nervous system injury. 